Cetirizine

Affecting 29% of the UK population, hay fever is typically a seasonal allergy. Known medically as allergic rhinitis, this condition occurs when the immune system releases chemicals called histamines, resulting in inflammation of the nasal passages. This immune response also causes the recognised hay fever symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing through the nose, itchy, watery eyes, and a general feeling of lethargy.One common treatment for hay fever is Cetirizine, a non-drowsy antihistamine commonly sold under the brand names Zirtek, Piriteze, and Benadryl Allergy. It is available in the form of tablets, capsules and syrups. Cetirizine can help relieve hay fever symptoms, but it cannot prevent them from occurring in the first place.For many, Cetirizine is only taken when the pollen count is high and not every day. But this can make it difficult to determine how often you should take Cetirizine. Read on to find out how much you should take, as well as other helpful tips on taking Cetirizine for hay fever.{add_product_block(156)}What is cetirizine for?Cetirizine is an antihistamine that’s used to relieve allergy symptoms associated with:When your body comes into contact with an allergen, it produces a chemical called histamine, which causes allergy symptoms. An antihistamine, such as cetirizine, prevents histamine from binding to its receptors in the body, thereby stopping allergy symptoms from developing.How much Cetirizine can you take in a day?How much Cetirizine you can take in a day depends on factors such as your age and the severity of your symptoms. The dosage usually differs for adults and children. Normally, if you are younger than 65 years, you may be good to go with one tablet a day (with the maximum dose being 10 mg per day). However, if you are over 65 years of age or suffer from any kidney problems, then your daily dose of Cetirizine would usually be lower, around 5 mg per day.You can take Cetirizine regularly to keep your symptoms at bay, especially in spring and summer when the pollen count is high. However, it’s important to always follow your doctor’s instructions or check the label for information on how much Cetirizine you should take.You should avoid accidentally taking more Cetirizine if your symptoms persist. If you find that Cetirizine does not effectively relieve your symptoms, speak to your doctor or a pharmacist for advice.How to take CetirizineCetirizine can be taken with or without food, but it should always be swallowed whole with a drink. You should never try to chew them.How much Cetirizine can you take in a day if you forget your first dose?If you forget to take Cetirizine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, you should refrain from doing so. You should never take a double dose in order to make up for a forgotten dose.What happens if you accidentally take too much Cetirizine?If you accidentally take more Cetirizine than you should, it is unlikely to cause any serious harm to you. However, it may increase your risk of experiencing side effects, such as nausea, drowsiness, headaches, stomachaches, and feeling agitated or nervous. If you experience any side effects and are concerned, please speak with your doctor. If your side effects persist or worsen, seek emergency medical attention by going directly to your nearest accident and emergency department.However, if you feel that the usual dosage of Cetirizine is not working out for you and you deliberately try to overdose in the hopes of relieving hay fever symptoms, you should immediately discontinue this practice. You can explore other hay fever treatments in addition to your regular dose of Cetirizine.Is it safe to take Cetirizine with other antihistamines?Taking Cetirizine together with other antihistamines such as fexofenadine and loratadine is generally not recommended and can increase the chances of side effects. However, your doctor may recommend a sedating antihistamine to help you sleep at night.Side Effects and PrecautionsCetirizine has fewer side effects than other antihistamine medications for hay fever. Common side effects of taking Cetirizine may include tiredness, dizziness, abdominal pain, headaches, nausea, dry mouth and diarrhoea.Do not take Cetirizine if you are allergic to peanuts or soya.You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Cetirizine as it can increase the risk of making you feel drowsy, dizzy or nauseous.It is important to tell your doctor about your medical history before taking Cetirizine. You should tell your doctor if you use other medicines, especially sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, anti-depressants or other cold or allergy medications. They can add to the drowsiness caused by Cetirizine. Also, you should not take Cetirizine without informing your doctor if you are breastfeeding, since small amounts of Cetirizine can pass into the mother’s breast milk and prove harmful to the nursing baby.Does cetirizine cause drowsiness?No, cetirizine has a non-drowsy formula, making it a good option for hay fever sufferers who need to stay alert and focused during the day, such as for work.Some antihistamine medications can cause drowsiness. These include chlorphenamine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, and promethazine.Generally, non-drowsy formulas are the best option because they are less likely to make you feel sleepy. However, if your allergy symptoms are affecting your sleep, antihistamines that cause drowsiness may be more suitable. You should discuss the most suitable option for you with a clinician or pharmacist.Cetirizine dosesCetirizine is available as 10 mg tablets or as a liquid solution.DoseFormSuitable for10 mgTabletsAdults and children over 1210 mg (5 mg x 2)Tablet or liquid medicineChildren aged 6 to 12 years5 mg (½ tablet once per day)Tablet or liquid medicinePeople with mild kidney issuesHow long can I take cetirizine for?How long you will need to take cetirizine will depend on your symptoms. For example, if you are taking cetirizine tablets to relieve hay fever symptoms, it’s a good idea to start taking them up to four weeks before you usually experience them.In the UK, this typically occurs during the spring and summer. You’ll likely need to continue taking antihistamines throughout the pollen season to keep symptoms at bay, usually until mid-September.How common is hay fever?It is estimated that around one in four adults and 1 in 10 children experience hay fever. The symptoms typically appear from early spring to late autumn and are generally worse in warm, windy, and humid weather.What are the common hay fever symptoms?Hay fever symptoms include:A runny or blocked noseSneezingCoughingItchy, red or watery eyesItchy throat, mouth, nose, and earsHeadacheLoss of smellTirednessUnlike common colds, hay fever symptoms usually last for weeks or months. So, if you’ve had any of the above symptoms for more than two weeks, and it’s pollen season, you could have hay fever.Find out, ‘What’s the difference between hay fever and a cold?’Tips for treating hay fever symptoms at homeThere is no cure for hay fever, but there are things you can do to help ease your symptoms, such as:Rubbing petroleum jelly around your nostrils to trap pollen and stop it entering your airwaysWear wraparound sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hatKeep windows and doors closed inside as much as possibleVacuum frequently and dust with a damp cloth to trap dust and pollenShower and change your clothes after going outsideAvoid cutting or walking on grassAvoid drying clothes outsideDrink plenty of fluids to stay hydratedLearn more ways in our guide ‘5 tips to beat hay fever’.What if cetirizine doesn’t work for me?If you feel cetirizine isn’t relieving your hay fever symptoms, speak to a clinician for further advice. They may recommend trying a different antihistamine medication.Cetirizine alternativesYou can buy cetirizine from Prescription Doctor, but if you feel it isn’t working for you, speak to one of our clinicians about the other hay fever treatments we offer:AntihistamineBrandsFexofenadine hydrochlorideAllevia, Telfast, TreathayBeclomethasone dipropionateBeconase Aqueous Nasal Spray, Nasobec Aqueous Nasal SprayCetirizine dihydrochlorideBenadryl AllergyCetirizine hydrochloridePiriteze allergy tablets, Zirtek allergyLoratidineClaritynDesloratadineNeoclaritynAzelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionateDymista Nasal SprayChlorphenamine maleatePiriton allergy tabletsSourcesDr Reddy’s Laboratories (UK) Ltd, 2024. Cetirizine hydrochloride 10 mg tablets package leafletMet Office, 2024. Surviving hay fever: A guide for sufferersNHS, 2024. Hay feverNHS, 2023. AntihistaminesNHS, 2021. Cetirizine